The problem of the refractory nature of gold bearing arsenide ores is described. The basic principle, characteristics and application of pretreatment technique of arsenic-bearing gold ores are presented in this paper. Several different classes of process options for pretreating refractory ores are considered. These options include: roasting oxidation; wet chemical treatment; bacterial peroxidation; and other pretreatments such as: eliminating arsenic in vacuum, volatile smelting, segregation of roasting, electrochemical oxidation. Its development tendency in the future is also looked ahead.